The Rejected Heiress: An Unruly Demon Queen

"Run! The sorceress has set up an ambush here!" a male mage shouted, his voice filled with panic and desperation, but it was already too late. "Do you think you can escape?" Lyria Ravenwood smirked, her smile beguiling and chilling, like a deadly siren luring sailors to their doom. The mages shivered involuntarily, their fear palpable in the cold night air. In the vast and mystical arcane world of Elarian, everyone who knew Lyria Ravenwood was aware that the more enchanting her smile, the more ruthless her actions. "Die!" Her declaration seemed to come from the depths of hell as scarlet flames erupted around her, illuminating her exquisitely beautiful face. The flames danced wildly, making her look even more devilish and otherworldly. The next day, news spread like wildfire throughout the arcane world: Lyria Ravenwood, the infamous sorceress, had stolen the "Celestial Harmony Codex." On the surface, the mountain peak looked ordinary, with nothing to distinguish it from any other. Suddenly, a ripple of energy flashed, and Lyria, who had been dressed in a flowing black robe, was now clad in a vibrant red dress that clung to her curves and accentuated her perfect features. Her face, more flawless than fine jade, was devoid of any coldness or cruelty. Instead, it bore a trace of intoxicating sweetness as she gazed tenderly at the man before her. The man was exceptionally handsome, with sword-like eyebrows and starry eyes that seemed to hold the secrets of the universe. "Alaric, today is your birthday. What gift do you want?" Alaric Starfire's star-like eyes, more dazzling than the stars in the sky, were filled with gentle affection. "You are my best gift." Lyria's exquisite face blushed, her cheeks turning a delicate shade of pink, and she playfully scolded, "Alaric!" She seemed to be reprimanding him, but the joy in her eyes was unmistakable. "We have been together for a thousand years. You are the most important person in my life. How could I not have prepared a gift for your birthday?" she said, producing a brocade box from nowhere as if by magic. Alaric did not reach for the box; instead, he squinted his eyes affectionately and said, "I heard you took the 'Celestial Harmony Codex'? If you do such dangerous things again while I'm in deep meditation, see how I'll punish you!" Immersed in his tender sweetness, Lyria did not notice the strange gleam in his eyes, a fleeting shadow of malice. "Alright, I know. From now on, we will practice magic together, never to be separated. Okay?" She smiled lovingly at Alaric, her eyes filled with adoration and helplessness. "Okay," Alaric smiled gently, embracing Lyria and kissing her smooth, full forehead. Leaning in his arms, Lyria felt an unprecedented peace, her eyes filled with happiness. The world seemed to melt away, leaving only the two of them in a bubble of bliss. Lyria was born an orphan with no parents. Luckily, her uncle and aunt raised her, but her cruel aunt sold her to a wealthy family as a maid. She knew her beauty could bring disaster, so she lived cautiously, never revealing her true face to the world. Once, she saved a mage in the Novice stage, who taught her the ways of magic. They called each other master and disciple. But when she successfully entered the path of magic, the mage betrayed her. She then discovered she had the "Shadow Moon Physique," a perfect vessel for magical energy. The betrayal and the disparity in their magical abilities left Lyria almost hopeless. However, fate intervened when the mage's old injuries flared up. She seized the opportunity, struck him down, and survived. From then on, she walked the arduous path of magic alone, her heart hardened by betrayal. She hated all men who harbored ill intentions toward her body. She killed any who approached her with such desires, her blade swift and unmerciful. Heaven smiled upon her, and she met her true love. For a thousand years, he was her most trusted and intimate partner. Once they mastered the "Celestial Harmony Codex" together, they could complement each other's strengths and achieve immortality, their souls intertwined for eternity. Suddenly, Lyria's body stiffened. "Pfft!" A powerful force swiftly severed the connection between her core and her meridians, destroying her meridians as well. Pain surged through her, sharp and unbearable. Her eyes widened, staring at Alaric in shock. The core was the source of a mage's power. Severing the meridians meant cutting off the power supply and destroying the meridians meant death for a mage! What was Alaric planning? She could do nothing now but stare at him in despair and disbelief. She never imagined that the man she trusted most, her partner of a thousand years, would betray her! Alaric still looked as handsome as an immortal, with an elegant demeanor. But his lips curled into a cold, mocking smile. "Lyria, did you really think I loved you? You, a sorceress who kills without mercy, ruthless and cruel. I was only using you. You did well all these years, and this time, you managed to get the 'Celestial Harmony Codex,' didn't you?" He grabbed the brocade box from her hand, a crazed look in his eyes. Lyria's lips curled into a bitter smile as she closed her eyes tightly, taking a deep breath to control her rage. The blood-red in her eyes gradually faded, replaced by a beguiling smile. Her voice was low, "Alaric, don't you think you're celebrating too early?" Alaric's expression changed as he immediately opened the brocade box. Inside was indeed a jade slip, but it emitted a faint hum. When he reached for it, he grabbed a handful of white powder instead, his hopes turning to dust. Seeing the cooked duck fly away, Alaric's face twisted in rage. He grabbed Lyria and lifted her like a chicken, not caring that her core and meridians were already destroyed and she had lost her power. Lyria bit her lip hard, refusing to cry out in pain. She wouldn't show any weakness in front of her enemy. However, using the secret technique to destroy the jade slip worsened her injuries. She spat out a mouthful of blood, her body limp in Alaric's grip, her eyes cold and defiant. "Where is the 'Celestial Harmony Codex'? Where did you hide it?" The codex was said to merge yin and yang, defy the heavens, and grant immortality. Such a powerful technique was fiercely contested by many. Ultimately, it fell into the hands of the cunning and ruthless Lyria. Initially, Alaric hadn't planned to turn against Lyria. She was beautiful and madly in love with him. Most importantly, her body was a rare "Divine Lunar Physique," far more valuable than the "Shadow Moon Physique." Ironically, even she didn't know this. If not for his magical technique, he would have been in the dark too. Practicing magic with her brought him immense benefits. Without it, he wouldn't have reached the Ascendant stage in just a few hundred years. Honestly, Alaric was reluctant to give up her body. But he knew that if he didn't control her now, she'd be his downfall. So, he never intended to let her live. He sneered and threw her onto a stone bed. The impact nearly broke her bones, and she spat blood onto his face, glaring at him venomously. "Alaric, you will die a miserable death!"